Description:

Cancale is thought to have been founded by the British monk Saint Meen in 545 and is the birthplace of Saint Jeanne Jugan.

Cancale is a picturesque fishing village which is known by its reputation as the 'oyster capital' of Brittany.  Cancale oysters first became famous when they were supplied to the royal table in the 17th century and oyster farming is still a major activity in the port with over25,000 tons produced in 7kms of oyster beds which can be seen from the harbour.

Cancale is a village situated on the Emerald Coast in the Mont Saint Michel Bay.  The village is  in the department of Ille et Vilaine to the East of Saint Malo.

Cancale covers an area of 12.61 km² and is one of the 9 cantons of Saint Malo.

There is a market in Cancale every Sunday as well as a daily 'Marche aux Huitres', oyster market, which should not be missed.

Cancale also has two small grocery stores, three bakeries, two butchers, a tabac, wine cave, a bookstore, a hardware store and several clothes and shoe shops.  For all other groceries there is a Super U and an Aldi supermarket in the town.

Due to its proximity to the sea it is no surprise that there is currently seven fishmongers in the village.

Cancale has three Ecole Primaires et Maternelles and two Colleges.  The nearest Lycee is 10 km away towards Saint Malo.

The village has a post office, several hair salons and garages, three dentist practices, three doctors practices, a vets, five banks, a village library, three pharmacies and two opticians.  

The village has a centrally located Gendarmerie and Pompier whilst the nearest hospital is 11 km away in Saint Malo.

Cancale is perfect for fish lovers with numerous Cafe Bars, Creperies and over forty Restaurants of which most serve the locally caught fresh fish.  Callac also has a cinema.

Cancale has a good selection of accommodation available including hotels, Chambre d’Hotes and Gites located within the town.  There are also six campsites in the area.

Cancale is home to the Feriales Littorales Sea Festival every June.  The festival takes over the whole village with parades, entertainment, music and food.

The village, due to its position on the Emerald Coast, has some beautiful beaches all within the village.

No visit to the 'Oyster capital of Brittany' would be complete without a visit La Ferme Marine which is a unique museum of oysters and shellfish including exhibitions and tours of the production area.

Worth a visit:

• Walk along the coastal path which will take you along a circular walk from the village to the Pointe du Grouin which has fantastic views across the bay towards Mont Saint Michel.
• Take a guided tour of l'Eglise de Cancale
• Visit the Musee des Arts et Traditions Populaires featuring displays of the old crafts, fishing and life in Cancale

Due to its location on the coast, Cancale has great access to watersports such as surfing, swimming and sailing.  The Cancale area itself  offers good golf, horse riding and hiking facilities.

Other popular associations include theatre, arts, athletics, archery, running, judo, rugby, yoga, tennis and crafts.